4 Signs Your Air Filters Need Replacing

The air filter in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system might need replacement. But, the question is how do you know if this component needs replacing?  Find out the answers to that question as you continue reading the rest of this article.  

1 – The Air Conditioning Unit Blows Hot Air

If your air conditioner blows hot air, you might need to replace its air filter. In many cases, it’s going to be an easy and affordable fix. You might not even need professional help for this task. But, you should purchase the correct filter for your HVAC unit. 

So, measure your old air filter first before purchasing a replacement model. For example, if you have old 20x20x1 air filters, purchase new units with the same dimensions. Otherwise, you’re going to encounter issues if the new component is the wrong size. 

To replace the air filter, first, disconnect the power from the AC. Next, take out the filter, replace the component, and, then, reconnect the power. If done correctly, you should have no problem getting the air filter to fit. After you’ve completed the replacement process, check the unit to see if it’s working properly.

2 – The Electricity Bill Increased

It’s safe to say that most homeowners won’t like to see a significant increase in their electricity bills, especially if you’re on a tight budget. But, if you see your electricity bills skyrocketing, you might need to check the HVAC unit’s air filter. 

Check for any damages in the air filter. Also, check if the component amassed a significant amount of dust over the weeks. If so, then, it’s time to replace this part. 

HVAC systems with faulty or filthy air filters tend to work harder than usual. Think of these systems as your body—if one of your body parts is unable to function normally, other areas of your body may need to compensate. This scenario may result in quick depletion of energy. 

Although the energy reserves for HVAC units might seem to be infinite (as long as they have a stable connection with the mains), these systems will work harder than average if they have a faulty component. Hence, if your HVAC system has a damaged or unclean air filter, the unit may compensate by consuming more power. As a result, you’re going to see a significant increase in your monthly electricity bill. 

Failure to replace the air filter soon might result in a continuous increase in these charges. So, act quickly to replace this component. In turn, you should see a decrease in your monthly bill soon.

3 – Frequent Allergy Attacks

One of the main reasons for frequent allergy attacks is indoor air pollution. Air coming into your home or office from the vents needs to be free of allergens, pollutants, and pathogens. But, this might not be possible if the residential or business establishment has a faulty air filter. 

Breathing polluted air might aggravate existing respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis. Note that continuous exposure to airborne pathogens might result in dire health complications, especially for people with respiratory issues. 

Let household members or business staff members breathe clean air again by replacing the HVAC system’s air filter. Prioritize this task as waiting to replace the air filter later rather than sooner may put the individuals in the immediate vicinity at a high risk of contracting certain health complications. 

4 – Dust Is Near The Air Vents

Don’t forget to change the HVAC air filter regularly. If you don’t, you might see a significant amount of dust and dirt piling up in various areas of the property. 

These unclean substances can get inside appliances and gadgets, making them consume more energy to function normally. Hence, you’re going to look at a skyrocketing electricity bill (which leads you back to a problem mentioned earlier). 

So, if you see a dust or dirt buildup near your vents, you’ll know it’s the right time to replace your air filters. But, keep in mind that you should also clean the vents first before replacing the filter. Otherwise, the filthy substances lingering in the vents might get into the filter. Hence, you might need to replace that component again as soon as the risks of damages to the part are, still, quite high.  

Conclusion

Remember to replace your HVAC system’s air filter regularly. Replace this component if you feel the hot air from the air conditioning unit or if your electricity bill has increased in a short period. Also, have your system well-maintained to reduce the need for replacing the air filter frequently.